Refrigerating apparatus



D. H. REEVES Aug. 25, 1931.

REFRIGERATI NG APPARATUS Filed Feb. '27, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 abbozn 0 1 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Aug. 25, 1931. D. H. REEVES REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 27, 1928 IE IE I Q gyvw/ntoz W, W r kA Y Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DONALD E. REEVES, DIE DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO FRIGIDAIRE- CORPORATION, 01!

DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE:

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Application filed February 27, 1928. Serial in. 257,334.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatu's and particularly to an improved con-,. struction of refrigerating element and 1ts arrangement in a refrigerating cabinet.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement for supporting the refrigerating element within a refrigerator cabinet. Y Another object is to provide an improved refrigerating element which is smooth and readily cleaned, and of pleasing appearance.

Another object, is to provide an improved form of refrigerating element such as an evaporator with an enclosing casing or shell which is in intimate thermal contact with the refrigerating element.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of refrigerating'element which is effective to freeze ice as ,Well as to cool a refrigerating cabinet.

Another object is to provide an improved I and simplified form of controlling device for a refrigerating system.

Another ObJGCt is to'provide a compartment for receiving ice-makzing contalners with a removable partition having an 1mproved form of retaining means.

Further objects and advantages; of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown. a

In the drawings: 1

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a refrigerator cabinet having my improved refrigerating ele ment therein, apparatus for supplying refrigerant being diagrammatically indicated;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of a portion of a cabinet showing the refrigerating element in sectionalview on an enlarged scale;

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views on the lines 33, 4--4 and 55 respectively of Figs. 2, Fig. 5 being on an enlarged scale; and- Fig. 6 is a view of a coil of the refrigerating elementbefore being assembled.

Refrigerating elements of the type in cluding an arrangementof refrigerant ducts or conduits for circulating refrigerant to cool a cabinet have heretofore been extenand when ,the temperature sively used. While such refrigerating elements may be very effective from a refriger ating standpoint they are difficult to clean crating element, which because of its complicated shape is 'diflicult to clean, and is rendered still more difficult to clean by the presence of the partition. My invention is concerned among other things with eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages.

In Fig. 1, 10 represents a refrigerating cabinet of any suitable construction provided with a refrigerating compartment 11, and a machine compartment 12 for enclosing a condensing apparatus for circulating refrigerant thru a cooling' element generally denoted by 14. The cabinet includes vertical walls 15, storage shelves 16 and an opening closed by a door 17. The condensing apparatus, while ordinarily contained in the machine compartment, is for the sake of clearness in illustration, diagrammatically shown outside of the compartment. It includes a compressor 20 for withdrawing evaporated refrigerant thru a conduit 21 "(ill denser 22 for liquefying the refrigerant, a

receiver 23 for storing liquid refrigerant and a conduit 24. for supplying liqui refriger ant to the refrigerating element. The compressor is driven by means of a motor 25, under the control of a switch 26, actuated by a thermostat including a pressure responsive bellows 27, connected by means of a conduit 28 to a bulb 29 containing a volatile liquid. When the temperature within the cabinet is above a certain point the pressure of the liquid within the bulb 29 expands the bellows to close the switch and startthe compressor, is below another definite value the low pressure allows the bellows to collapse and open the switch.

As shownin Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the refrigerating element includes an outer shell or casnectlons (not shown) to facilitate the instaling 30 inside of. which is a coil of refrigerant conduit 31, and an inner shell or casing 32 valve 34 and expands in the conduit 35, the

inner coil'33, and the outer coil 31 and finally returns as vapor to the condensing apparatus thru the conduit 21. It will be understood that the conduits 21, 24 and 28, leading from the evaporating unit to the condensing unit are rovided with suitable detachable conlation in and removal of the evaporator. from the system.

The construction of the refrigerating element will be better understood by following the steps of manufacture andassembly. A

. length of tubing forming a refrigerant conduit is wound about a mandrel to produce a coil 33 of the form shown in Fig. 6, generally cushion-shaped, having its sides bowed inwardly as shown. The coil 33 is placed within a generally rectangular sleeve 38 shown best in Fig. 2. When so placed the corners of the coil may be in contact with the sleeve and the sides are bowed inwardly away from the sleeve. Each side of the sleeve is provided with'a pair of longitudinal ribs 39. After the coil has beenplaced 1n the sleeve the convolutions are secured in place longitudinally by means of a pair of comb shaped members 40 which are inserted in the space between the sleeve and the coils and are turned to place the teeth41 between the convolutions. The comb-shaped members are then secured to the sleeve by soldering or in any other suitable manner, and permitradial displacement of the convolutions of the coils while retaining them in their longi- ,tudinal positions.

A flattened tube having the cross section shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is wound into a helical coil which is of slightly larger diameter than the inner diameter of the shell 30. This coil is placed about the"sleevc containing the coil 33 and its convolutions are held in place longitudinally by means of another pair of comb-shaped members 40 which are secured to the outside of the sleeve as shown in Fig. 2. The coils 31 and 33 are connected in series by a connection 43.

The cylindrical shell 30 is open at one end. as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and is closed at the other end with the exception of a small opening 45 and a large opening 46. The large opening 'is generally rectangular and the rec.-

. tangular compartment32, closed at one end,

'has its open end secured to the shell 30 about the opening 46, preferably by welding. The casing formed by the shell 30 and compart-,

the cap or plug.

Expansion valve 34 is attached to the sleeve 38 in any suitable manner as by screws and is connected between the conduit 35 which forms one end of the coil 33 and the liquid supply conduit 24.

The tubing in both coils is made of elastic or resilient material such as hard" drawn brass or copper, and the-two coils are forced into the casing 30 in the following 'manner. The coil 30 is' twisted within its elastic limit to shrink its diameter to a value smaller than that of the casing 30 and is temporarily held in this twisted position in any suitable manner. The sleeve 38 carrying both coils is then forced over the compartment 32, the

compartment springing the cushion-shaped C01l 33 into the rectangular form shown in Fig. 2. The relative sizes of the 'compartment, the coil 33, and the sleeve 38 are such that when the three are pressed together in the-manner indicated the ribs 39 acting in one direction and the sides of the compartment acting in the other direction against the resilient; bowed side of the coil. cause the latter. to be pressed into intimate thermal contact with the compartment. Simultaneously with. the pressing of coil 38 on the compartment 48 the coil 31 slides into the casing 30. After it has been placed in position it is allowed to untwist and the untwisting action of the resilient coil expands it to hold all of the convolutions' in intimate thermal contact with the outer shell.

1 The expansion valve may be of any suitableconstruction and is preferably of the form shown in the application of Harry B. Hull, Serial No. 183.480, filed April 13. 1927. This valve is provided with a projection 52 closed by a cap or plug 53 which contains an adjusting nut for regulating the valve. This cap is allowed to project thru the opening 45 in order that adjustment may be made without' disturbing. the refrigerating element. The opening 45 is closed by a cap 54 which is secured in place by a screw threaded into The compartment 48 provides a freezing chamber for ice-making containers 6O indi-' 'cated in Figs. 2 and 3. Preferably the chamber is divided into two chambers by a removable shelf 61 so that either two shallow I pans may be used as indicated in Fig. 2 or one deep container may be used. The shelf is formed with a down-turnedlip or flange 62 ateach side and is provided with a vertical slot 63 and an inclined slot 64 which cooperates with pins 65 to secure the shelf in position. The inclined slot is placed near the front end of the shelf and the vertical slot'near the back end for the reason that frequently the containers freeze to their supports and it is customary to break the ice bond by lifting the front end of the. container from the support. The inclined shoulder forming the lower side of the inclined slot cooperates with the pins to prevent the raising of the shelf when the ice bond is broken as above described, while the vertical shoulder forming the back side of the vertical slot cooperateswiththe pin to prevent accidental horizontal withdrawal of the shelf.

However, if it is desired to remove the shelf the hand is placed under it and the back end first lifted to clear the back pins after which the shelf can be slid forward and removed from the compartment. The ice freezing containers 60 are provided with the usual tray fronts 66 which when the trays are in osition to close the opening 46.

s shown best in Figs. 3 and 4 the lip or flange 62 extends across the-front of the shelf and closes the space between the tray fronts The thermostat bulb which forms the primary controlling element in the refrigerating element is preferably a cylindrical tube attached in intimatecontact to the back end of the compartment 32 and preferably projects thru an opening in the side of the shell 30 so that part of the tube is disposed inside and part is outside of the refrigerating element. The part outside is thus influenced by the temperature of thecabinet While the part inside is influenced by the temperature of the refrigerating element, the two temperatures cooperating to effect the control of the refrigerating apparatus. In order that the relative amount of the tube which issubjected to the temperature of the cabinet may be easily regulated the opening is provided with a bushing 68 and a lock nut 69 which holds the tube in any desired position.

entirely on the outside of the shell.

When it is desired to change the position of the tube the lock nut may be loosened from the outside of the shell and the. bulb-moved to the desired position after which the lock nut may be tightened to retain it in place.

The shell 30 is provided at its back end with a flange by which it is supported on one of the vertical walls of the cabinet preferably by screws 71, a resilient gasket 72 being interposed between the flange and the wall 15. The refrigerant and thermostat conduits are passed thru an opening in the wall within the flange, and are connected to the refrigerating apparatus by the connectors referred to.

The shell being chilled by the refrigerant ducts cools the air in its immediate vicinity, setting up circulation of air and refrigerating the cabinet in the well-known manner. It will be noticed that the evaporator proper is completely protected from air currents, consequently the frost which is usually deposited on the cooling units will collect almost Frost ordinarily'collects odors from the cabinet and is what necessitates the periodic cleaning of the refrigerating unit. Since the frost is in this instancecollected on smooth surfaces, it will be apparent that the cooling element can be readily cleaned.

Furthermore the shell being perfectly smooth and of regular'shape presents a neat appearance, which is unobjectionable when the door of the cabinet is open. When coated with frost it resembles a neatly cut block of snow.

VVhilethe form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to beunderstood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

\Vhat is claimed is as follows:

1. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a casing, a refrigerating element including a circular coil of resilient refrigerant conduit, the coil being normallyof a diameter different from the corresponding dimension of the casing, said coil being sprung into engagement with the casing to place the convolutions of the coil in intimate thermal. contact with the casing.

2. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a casing, a refrigcratin element in intimate thermal contact witi the casing including a helical coil of resilient refrigerant conduit, the coil being normally of a. d1ameter different from the corresponding dimension of the casing, and having been twisted within its elastic limit to change its diameter and thereafter released to contact firmly with the casing.

3. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a casing, a helical coil of resilient refrigerant conduit of larger normal diameter than the corresponding dimension of the casing and adapted to be sprung into the casing, and means for maintaining the relative longitudinal positions of the convolutions of the coil while permitting the diameter of the coil-to be changed. v 4. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a casing, a helical coil of resilient refrigerant conduit of larger normal diameter than the corresponding dimension of the casing and adapted to be sprung into the casing, and means attached to the coil for maintaining the relative longitudinal positions of the convolutions of the coil while permitting the diameter of the coil to be chan ed. V

5. efrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a casin a helical coil of resilient refrigerant con uit of larger normal diameter than the corresponding dimension of the casing and adapted to be sprung into the casing, and spacing means for the convolu- .tions of the coil including one or more combshaped members disposed parallel to the axis of the coil.

6. Refrlgeratlng apparatus comprising in combination a compartment for receiving icemaking containers a shelf for supporting a container within t e compartment; and retaining means for the shelf including means near one end ofthe shelf permitting horizontal movement but preventing vertical movement of the shelf and means near the other end of the shelf preventing horizontal movement but permitting" vertical movement of the shelf.

7 Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination an open ended compartment for receiving ice-making containers; a shelf for supportlng a container within the compartment; and retaining means for the shelf including means near the open end of the compartment permitting horizontal movement but preventing vertical movement of the shelf, and means near the other end of the shelf preventing horizontal movement but permitting vertical movement of the shelf.

8. Refrlgerat-ing apparatus comprising in combination a compartment for receiving ice-:

making containers; a shelf for supporting a container Within the compartment; and means for removablysupporting the shelf including a pair of pins, 2. vertical shoulder on the shelf cooperating with one of the pins, and an inclined shoulder on the shelf coopcrating with the other pin.

9. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a compartment for receiving ice making containers; a shelf for supporting a container within the compartment, said shelf having avertical lip; and means for removably supporting the shelf including a pain of pins, one of said .pins cooperating with a 1 vertical slot insaid lip and the other pin oooperating with an inclined slot in said lip.

10. A refrigerating element for apparatus, comprising in combination a prismatic sleeve, a coil of resilient refrigerant-conduit adapted to cooperate with the sleeve, the convolutions of the coil having a dimension normally different from. the corresponding dimension of the sleeve and being sprung into intimate thermal contact with the sides of the sleeve.

11. A refrigerating element for apparatus comprising in combination a prismatic sleeve, a coil of resilient refrigerant conduit adapted to cooperate with the sleeve, the convolutions of the coil having their sides bowed inwardly to circumscribe a figure geometrically similar to but smaller than the cross-section of the sleeve and being sprun'g into intimate. thermal contact with the sides of the sleeve.

12. A refrigerating element for apparatus comprising in combination a prismatic sleeve, a coil of resilient refrigerant conduit adapted to cooperatewith the sleeve, the convolutions of the coil having a dimension normally different from the corresponding dimension ofthe sleeve and being sprung into intimate thermal contact with the sides of the sleeve,

and means for holding the convolutions lonof the coil having a dimension normally different from the corresponding dimension of i the sleeve, and being sprung into intimate thermal contact with the sides of the sleeve,

and means on the sleeve for holding the con volutions longitudinally in place.

14. A refrigerating element for refrigen, ating apparatus comprising in combination a freezing chamber adapted to receive ice-making containers, shelf supporting means in the chamber, a shelf for separating the chamber into a pair of compartments each adapted to receive a container, and a lip on the shelf for bridging the gap. between containers placed in the compartments.

15. A refrigerating element for refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a freezing chamber adapted to receive icemaking containers, shelf supporting means in thechamber, a shelf for separating the chamber into a pair of compartments each adapted to receive a container, and an integral lip on the shelf for bridging the gap between containers placed in the compartments.

16'. Refrigerating element for refrigeratlocking the.shelf against horizontal movement.

17. Refrigerating element for refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a freezing enclosure adapted to receive icemaking containers, shelf supporting means in the enclosure, a shelf on said supporting means for separating the enclosure into a pair of compartmentseach adapted to receive a container, means for lockingthe shelf at one end against vertical movement and means.

disposed at 'the other end, of the shelf for locking the shelf against horizontal movement. A I

18. Refrigerating element for refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a freezing enclosure adapted to receive icemaking containers, shelf "supporting means in the enclosure, a shelf'on said supporting means for separating the enclosure into a pair of compartments each adapted to re ceive a container, means at one end of the shelf preventing vertical movement and permitting horizontal movementof the shelf, and means atthe other end of the shelf preventing horizontal movement of the shelf,

said first mentioned means permitting vertical movement of said other end of the shelf to disengage the means preventing horizontal movement.

20. Refrigerating element for refrigerat ing apparatus comprising in combination a freezing enclosure adapted to receive memaking contalners, shelf supportlng means in the enclosure, a removable shelf on said supporting means for separating the enclosure into a pair of compartments'each adapted to receive a container, and means for locking one end ofthe shelf against vertical movement.

21. Refrigerating element for refrigerating apparatushcomprising in combination a freezing enclosure adapted to receive icemaking containers, shelf supporting means in the enclosure, a shelf on said supporting means for separating the enclosure into a pair of compartments each adapted to receive a container, and means integral with the shelf and engaging said enclosure to prevent vertical movement of the shelf. I

22. Refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination a refrigerating element having an enclosing casing anda temperature responsive element for controlling the refrigerating element, the temperature responsive element being disposed partly within and partly outside of the casing tobe influenced .by the temperature both of the resingle container of much greater depth than either of said shallow containers.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

DONALD H. REEVES.

- frigerating element and of the surrounding atmosphere, said temperature responsive element being a container charged with expansible fluid and adjustably supported to permit varying the ratio of the parts within the outside of the casing.

23. A refrigerating element for refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination, aa freezing chamber open at one end and adapted to receive at least two relatively shallow freezing containers, the fronts-of the freezing containers. being of such size that the adjacent edges thereof will stand spaced apart when said containers are positioned in said chamber, thus forming a gap, a front closure member supported on said freezing chamber and shaped to close the gap between the two container fronts, said closure member being readily removable from the gap closing positron whereby said chamber may receive a 

